Toilet plunger

ABSTRACT

A plunger of the present invention is a generally hollow structure having a number of integrally-formed sections disposed between the top and the bottom. The plunger has a conical upper portion having an increasing diameter moving downwardly from the top of the plunger toward a central portion. There is a pleated bellows section at the central portion of the plunger. Extending downwardly from the central portion is a lower conical portion having a decreasing diameter moving from the central portion toward the bottom. The top includes an opening for a handle and the bottom comprises an opening to the interior cavity of the plunger. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger is formed of a resilient rubber-like material that is capable of being deformed and then returning to an un-deformed shape, the material having memory. The plunger can be used in standard or specially-configured toilet bowl outlets.

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/562,461, filed Nov. 22, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to indoor plumbing and to gravity-operated flush toilets. More particularly, it relates to an improved toilet plunger for removing blockages in toilets and drain lines leading from toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most familiar type of conventional toilet plunger comprises a plunger element and an elongated, rigid handle element. Generally, the plunger element of the toilet plunger of this type is made of a resiliently deformable material in a substantially circular, rounded, open, cup-like configuration, and it is formed with an open interior area or cavity which opens outwardly through the open end of the plunger element. The handle element is generally made from a relatively rigid material, such as wood or plastic, and it is connected to the plunger element so that it extends from the end that is opposite the open end. The toilet plunger of this general type is first positioned such that the plunger element is in substantially sealed engagement with the drain or outlet portion of the toilet bowl. The handle element is then moved toward and away from the plunger element so that the plunger element is alternately deformed and returned its un-deformed shape in order to alternately apply pressure and suction to the outlet portion of the toilet or drain.

While toilet plungers of this type have been found to be generally effective for removing minor blockages in the outlet portions of toilets and drain lines, it has been found that they are often ineffective for removing many larger blockages, since they lack the ability to apply sufficient suction and pressures to the blockage. In order to overcome this problem, a wide variety of other plungers have been developed. In the view of this inventor, none has the features of the present invention. Further in view of this inventor, there is a need to provide a plunger that is a better fit, and works better, with high efficiency toilets, including flush toilets of current manufacture having a 1.6 or 1.28 gallons per flush capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plunger that is formed as a generally hollow structure having a top, a bottom, an outer sidewall and a number of integrally-formed sections disposed between the top and the bottom. The plunger has a conical upper portion having an increasing diameter moving downwardly from the top of the plunger toward a central portion. There are a number of pleated bellows at the central portion of the plunger. Extending further downwardly from the central portion is a lower conical portion having a decreasing diameter moving from the central portion toward the bottom. The top includes an opening for a handle and the bottom comprises an opening to the interior cavity of the plunger. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger is formed of a resilient rubber-like material that is capable of being deformed and then returning to an un-deformed shape, the material having memory.

The foregoing and other features of the device of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side and partially cross-sectioned view of the plunger that is constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned view of a standard bowl toilet, representative of the type with which the plunger of the present invention can be used.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of bowl and plunger shown in FIG. 2 and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing the plunger flexed in one direction relative to the throat of the bowl.

FIG. 4 is the same view as that of FIG. 3 but showing the plunger flexed in another direction relative to the throat of the bowl.

FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectioned view of a jetted bowl toilet, representative of the type with which the plunder of the present invention can be used.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of bowl and plunger shown in FIG. 5 and taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and showing the plunger flexed in one direction relative to the throat of the bowl.

FIG. 7 is the same view as that of FIG. 6 but showing the plunger flexed in another direction relative to the throat of the bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a plunger, generally identified 1, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The plunger 1 comprises a generally hollow bulbous structure having a top 2, a bottom 4, an outer sidewall 6 and a number of integrally-formed sections disposed between the top 2 and the bottom 4. The top 2 further comprises a top opening 3 and the bottom 4 further comprises a bottom opening 5, the bottom opening 5 providing an aperture to the interior cavity 8 of the plunger 1 and having an inner sidewall 7. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger 1 is formed of a resilient rubber-like material that is capable of being deformed and then returning to an un-deformed shape, the material having memory.

Starting at the top 2 of the plunger 1, a first section 10 is provided. The first section 10 is relatively a thick-walled portion of the plunger 1 of the present invention which provides an attachment point 3 for a handle 9. The first section 10 includes an outer surface 12. The attachment point 3 is a top opening which includes a threaded portion 13 for receiving the like-threaded end of the handle 9 in it. See, for example, FIG. 2. The thickness of the first section 10, particularly at the top 2 of the plunger 1, adds strength to the plunger 1 and aids in the support of the handle 9 once it is attached. This is especially true during use of the plunger 1 which can be vigorous where the blockage is particularly difficult to clear. The first section 10 also comprises an inner surface 14.

Next, it will be seen that a second section 20 extends downwardly from and is integrally-formed with the first section 10. The second section 20 comprises a shape that allows the second section 20 to give resistance to the plunger 1 and allow it to spring back into its original shape during the plunging process. That is, the second section 20 is essentially a conical-shaped portion having an increasing diameter moving downwardly from the first section 10. The second section 20 comprises a circumferential outer surface 22 and a circumferential inner surface 24.

A third section 30 extends downwardly from and is integrally-formed with the second section 20. As with the first two sections 10, 20, the third section comprises a circumferential outer surface 32 and a circumferential inner surface 34. Further, the third section 30 comprises a pleated bellows construction as will be further explained below. A fourth section 40 extends downwardly from and is integrally-formed with the third section 30. The fourth section 40 further comprises a circumferential outer surface 42 and a circumferential inner surface 44. The fourth section 40 is essentially an inverted conical-shaped portion having a decreasing diameter moving downwardly from the third section 30.

Lastly, a fifth section 50 extends downwardly from and is integrally-formed with the fourth section 40. The fifth section 50 comprises a circumferential outer surface 52 and a circumferential inner surface 54. The fifth section 50 is also essentially an inverted conical-shaped portion having a decreasing diameter moving downwardly from the fourth section 40. The bottom-most portion of the fifth section 50 terminates at the bottom portion 4 of the plunger 1, which also includes the cavity opening 5. It is to be noted that the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 are preferably formed as an integral structure. In this configuration, the outer surfaces 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and the inner surfaces 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 of the sections 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, respectively, are continuous, the inner surfaces 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 forming an inner sidewall 7 of the hollow cavity 8 of the plunger 1. This cavity 8 keeps water and debris from the toilet contained during use. The outer surfaces 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 collectively form the continuous outer sidewall 6 of the plunger 1.

Significantly in the present invention, and as alluded to above, the third section 30 comprises a pleated bellows structure 38 in the form of a constricted or narrow diameter first bellows section 31, a wider diameter second bellows section 33, another constricted third bellows section 35 and another wider diameter fourth bellows section 37. This pleated bellows structure 38 provides separation between the second section 20 and the fourth section 40 of the plunger 1 and also provides the user with the ability to use angular movement with respect to the plunger 1. That is, this movement is designed to allow the user to change handle 9 directions once a seal has been made by the lower sections 40, 50 with the throat 66 of a toilet outlet 64 as is shown in FIGS. 2-4 and in FIGS. 5-7.

More specifically, a representative toilet assembly 60, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, comprises a toilet bowl 62 having a toilet bowl outlet 64 and a throat 66. Water and waste in the bowl 62 can be flushed from the bowl 62 through the bowl throat 66 and the outlet 64 when the toilet assembly 60 is flush actuated by conventional means. When the plunger 1 is positioned as shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface 42 of the fourth section 40 establishes a circumferential perimeter of continuous contact points 68 about the throat 66 of the bowl 62. This effectively seals the plunger 1 with respect to the bowl outlet 64. In this position, the handle 9 can be used to change the position of the plunger 1 relative to the bowl throat 66. See FIGS. 3 and 4. Change in the angle of the handle 9 relative to the plunger 1 results in the third section 30 of the plunger 1 and its pleated bellows structure 38 “flexing.” That is, the narrow diameter first bellows section 31, the wider diameter second bellows section 33, the constricted third bellows section 35 and the wider diameter fourth bellows section 37 are expanded to one side of the plunger 1 when the plunger 1 is flexed in one direction or the other. To the opposite side of the plunger 1, the same structures are compressed. This action allows for efficient plunging action to be maintained through any angle that the user may be able to use the plunger 1 within the toilet bowl 62.

The foregoing demonstrates that the plunger 1 of the present invention has a fourth section 40 that that conforms to the shape of the throat 66 of the bowl 62 of a standard toilet bowl 60. This fourth section 40 may not, however, seal on all toilets, which leads to the significance of the structure of the fifth section 50 in the plunger 1 of the present invention. Specifically, the fifth section 50 is effectively an extension of the fourth section 40 of the plunger 1. Since the fourth section 40 does not seal with all toilet bowls, the inverted dome-like shape of the fifth section 50 comprises structure which conforms with other more complex toilet bowl shapes, including those used with jetted-style toilet bowls 72. See FIGS. 5 through 6 which show a toilet bowl assembly 70 having a jetted bowl 72, a bowl outlet 74 and a bowl throat 76. When the plunger 1 is positioned as shown in FIG. 5, the outer surface 52 of the fifth section 50 establishes a circumferential perimeter of continuous contact points 78 about the throat 76 of the bowl 72. This effectively seals the plunger 1 with respect to the bowl outlet 74. In this position, the handle 9 can be used to change the position of the plunger 1 relative to the bowl throat 76. Change in the angle of the handle 9 relative to the plunger 1 results in the third section 30 of the plunger 1 and its pleated bellows structure 38 “flexing.” Here again, the narrow diameter first bellows section 31, the wider diameter second bellows section 33, the constricted third bellows section 35 and the wider diameter fourth bellows section 37 are expanded to one side of the plunger 1 when the plunger 1 is flexed in one direction or the other. To the opposite side of the plunger 1, the same structures are compressed together, as described above. Lastly, the bottom opening 5 of the plunger 1 is large enough to pull in solids and liquid that may be the source of the clog in the toilet 70. The inverted dome-like shape of the inner surfaces 44, 54 of the fourth and fifth section 40, 50, respectively, are so configured to allow liquids and solids to flow out of the bottom opening 5 of the plunger 1 during use.

Although the foregoing has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the construction and the arrangement of components, some of which have been alluded to, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is described. 

The details of the invention having been disclosed in accordance with the foregoing, I claim:
 1. A toilet plunger comprising: a first section, the first section comprising an attachment point for a handle; a second section extending downwardly from the first section; a third section extending downwardly from the second section; a fourth section extending downwardly from the third section; a fifth section extending downwardly from the fourth section; and a bottom opening formed in the fifth section, the bottom opening providing an aperture to the interior cavity.
 2. The toilet plunger of claim 1 wherein the first section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
 3. The toilet plunger of claim 2 wherein the second section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
 4. The toilet plunger of claim 3 wherein the third section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
 5. The toilet plunger of claim 4 wherein the fourth section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
 6. The toilet plunger of claim 5 wherein the fifth section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.
 7. The toilet plunger of claim 1 wherein the sections are formed of a resilient rubber-like material having memory.
 8. The toilet plunger of claim 6 wherein the inner surfaces of the first, second third, fourth and fifth sections are continuous.
 9. The toilet plunger of claim 6 wherein the outer surfaces of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections are continuous.
 10. The toilet plunger of claim 6 wherein the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sections are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
 11. The toilet plunger of claim 1 wherein the second section is comprises a substantially conical shape having an increasing diameter moving downwardly from the first section.
 12. The toilet plunger of claim 11 wherein the third section comprises a pleated bellows construction having a first bellows section having a diameter, a second bellows section having a diameter that is wider than the diameter of the first bellows section, a third bellows section having a diameter that is substantially the same as that of the first bellows section and a fourth bellows section having a diameter that is substantially the same as that of the second bellows section.
 13. The toilet plunger of claim 12 wherein the fourth section of the plunger comprises a substantially conical shape having a decreasing diameter moving downwardly towards the fifth section.
 14. The toilet plunger of claim 12 wherein the fifth section of the plunger comprises a substantially conical shape having a decreasing diameter moving downwardly away from the fourth section.
 15. The toilet plunger of claim 13 wherein the fourth section of the plunger comprises a perimeter that is sized to seal with the throat to the outlet of a standard toilet bowl configuration.
 16. The toilet plunger of claim 14 wherein the fifth section of the plunger comprises a perimeter that is sized to seal with the throat to the outlet of a complex toilet bowl configuration.
 17. The toilet plunger of claim 15 wherein the pleated bellows structures of the plunger are flexible to allow for variable positioning of the plunger in the outlet throat of the standard toilet bowl configuration.
 18. the toilet plunger of claim 16 wherein the pleated bellows structures of the plunger are flexible to allow for variable positioning of the plunger in the outlet throat of the standard toilet bowl configuration.
 19. A toilet plunger for use with a toilet bowl having a throat, the plunger comprising: a handle, a first section, the first section comprising an attachment point for the handle, an inner surface and an outer surface; a second section extending downwardly from the first section and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; a third section extending downwardly from the second section and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; a fourth section extending downwardly from the third section and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; a fifth section extending downwardly from the fourth section and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; the inner surface of the sections being continuous and forming a generally bulbous structure and interior cavity; and a bottom opening formed in the fifth section, the bottom opening providing an aperture to the interior cavity; wherein the plunger is formed of a resilient rubber-like material; and wherein the plunger can create a suction force within the toilet bowl throat.
 20. The toilet plunger of claim 19 wherein the third section comprises a pleated bellows structure that can be compressed or expanded to one side of the plunger such that the angle of the handle can be changed while maintaining a suction force within the throat of the toilet bowl. 